St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
College Years
Miami 1968 - 2002
| | Florida Memorial University A.L. Lewis Archway Plaza | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
1. College Years Marker
The College celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1979 and initiated a series of expansion projects on the 44-acre site, including the Susie C. Holley Religious Center and a $7 million Aviation Center. By 2002, several campus buildings and additions were dedicated culminating a significant facilities expansion and enhancement program at the Miami Campus. New facilities included the Student Services Building, the International Flag Promenade, and a Clock Tower.
Timeline Legend
(gold/black) Indicates historical milestones for Florida Normal and Industrial College in Miami .
(black) African American History Milestones
(gold/black) 1968 Florida Memorial College moves to Miami (Northwest Miami Dade County)
(gold/black) 1974 Dr. Royal W. Puryear resigned and Dr. Lester B. Brown appointed Interim Administrator.
(gold/black) 1975 Dr. Willie Wright named President.
(black) 1975 Morehouse College founded its School
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(gold/black) 1977 Dr. Willie C. Robinson named President.
(black) 1977 The final episode of the eight-part miniseries Roots airs drawing the highest rating ever to air.
(gold/black) 1979 The College celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
(gold/black) 1981 Dr. Susie C. Holley, one of the Institutions foremost contributors, passed.
(gold/black) 1982 Construction began on the Susie C. Holley Religious Center.
(black) 1983 Dr. Martin Luther Kings birth home becomes a National Memorial.
(gold/black) 1986 Secretary of State, Dr. Henry, served as keynote speaker for the Third Annual Honors Program Banquet. Over $100,000 was raised.
(gold/black) 1988 Florida Memorial College opened a $7 million Aviation Center.
(gold/black) 1990 Dr. Lee Everett Monroe named President.
(gold/black) 1993 FLorida Memorial College celebrated its 25th Anniversary in Miami and Dr. Albert E. Smith was named President.
(black) 1994 Nelson Mandela elected first black President of South Africa.
(gold/black) 1995 Renowned attorney Johnnie Cochran served as speaker at the first
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. College Years Marker
(black) 1995 The Million Man March is held in Washington, DC.
(gold/black) 1997 The College secured $1.2 million in state appropriation to support Recruitment and Retention, and $3.9 million from the Miami Dade Cultural Affairs Council to convert the Teaching Auditorium into a Preforming Arts Center.
(gold/black) 1998 The College secured $5 million from the State Appropriations to build the Florida International University/Florida Memorial College Joint Use Classroom Facility.
(gold/black) 2000 The Division of Business received national accreditation from the Association of College Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). (gold/black) 2002 The Colleges Capital Campaign Rising to New Heights exceeded its campaign goal and and several new facilities were dedicated. The baseball field was named the Harry T. Moore Baseball Field.
(captions)
The William Lebman Aviation Center was completed in 1988.
Additional landscaping enhancements in the center courtyard of the Student Services Building.
Florida Memorials mascot, the Lion stands proudly at the entrance to campus.
The Miami campus benefited from landscape enhancements and tree-lined pathways.
Plans for relocation and construction for the new Miami campus.
The Clock Tower rises nearly 50 feet, and serves as a visual beacon on campus.
Construction at the Miami campus.
The new Dining Hall/Conference Center.
Erected by Florida Memorial University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.
Location. 29° 53.255′ N, 81° 21.251′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It can be reached from the intersection of North Holmes Boulevard and West King Street, on the right when traveling south. The Marker is located within Florida Memorial University A.L. Lewis Archway Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 North Holmes Blvd, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in First Coast and in Greater Jacksonville. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: University Years (here, next to this marker); Civil Rights Movement (here, next to this marker); Merger-Expansion Years (a few steps from this marker); Formative Years (a few steps from this marker); Florida Memorial University (a few steps from this marker); Our Native Son Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Johns Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); 1074 West King Street (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Also see . . .
1. Florida Memorial University is the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU). (Submitted on January 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The History of Florida Memorial University. (Submitted on January 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
